True Detective Season Two: Rachel McAdams Sought For Lead Role

Who will star in the second season of HBO's True Detective has yet to be announced despite a slew of names being linked to a whole host of roles.

It is well known that one of the show's leads will be a woman, and now fresh reports are linking The Notebook and Sherlock Holmes star Rachel McAdams to the part.

The role was previously believed to be going to Mad Men star Elizabeth Moss but a report on Variety believes she faces stiff competition from the Hollywood actress.

Last month reports indicated that the new season would also star Colin Farrell, Taylor Kitsch and Vince Vaughn – who Variety believes are now in final negotiations. A number of plot and character details were also revealed.

Showrunner Nic Pizzolatto is returning to write the new season, which will be set in California and is believed to be about an investigation into the murder of a corrupt city manager.

Variety's report was primarily about Fast & Furious director Justin Lin joining the series to direct a few episodes. True Detective's critically acclaimed first season was directed solely by one man, Cary Fukunaga, but that has changed for the new season.

Season one of HBO's crime drama was a huge success thanks to its superb writing and direction, but chiefly the success was down to its two stars – Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson – who put in career best performances as the two detectives investigating a series of grisly deaths.